Savaged by a Dead Sheep
Denis Healey (former Labour chancellor) once famously said that being attacked by Geoffrey Howe (his old Tory adversary) was like - 'being savaged by a dead sheep!'
In other words, the old Labour warhorse had a hide as tough as leather - and the only opponents who caused him to lose any sleep - were the ones with sharp teeth.
Former government minister, Tony McNulty, must feel the same way today - after issuing a grovelling apology in the House of Commons over his expenses claims - and being forced to repay £13,876.
But the truth is that Mr McNulty got off very lightly.
Because he was savaged by a committee of fellow MPs who decided on his punishment - after being found to have breached the rules by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards (who is not an MP).
Mr McNulty claimed around £60,000 in allowances - for the house in which his parents lived.
He designated this former family home in Harrow as his new 'second home' - after moving to Hammersmith, west London (10 miles away).
Mr McNulty claimed that the house in Harrow helped him to work more effectively in his local constituency - even though it was doubling up as his parents main residence (at the taxpayers expense).
Just picture the scene: "Can you do that ironing in the other room tonight Mum - I need to speak to some local constituents about a problem with their drains?"
Mr McNulty's fellow MPs decided that this arrangement had the effect of subsidising his parents from public funds - but then ordered him to pay back less than a quarter of the £60,000 he claimed.
The reform of MPs' expenses is finally underway - but change is only happening because MPs are not in the driving seat - no longer judge and jury in their own cause.
Just about every profession in the country involves ordinary members of the public in dealing with disciplinary matters - the regulatory bodies for doctors, lawyers and teachers - to name just a few examples.
A dose of the same for our MPs would do them - and the country's politics - a power of good.
In other words, the old Labour warhorse had a hide as tough as leather - and the only opponents who caused him to lose any sleep - were the ones with sharp teeth.
Former government minister, Tony McNulty, must feel the same way today - after issuing a grovelling apology in the House of Commons over his expenses claims - and being forced to repay £13,876.
But the truth is that Mr McNulty got off very lightly.
Because he was savaged by a committee of fellow MPs who decided on his punishment - after being found to have breached the rules by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards (who is not an MP).
Mr McNulty claimed around £60,000 in allowances - for the house in which his parents lived.
He designated this former family home in Harrow as his new 'second home' - after moving to Hammersmith, west London (10 miles away).
Mr McNulty claimed that the house in Harrow helped him to work more effectively in his local constituency - even though it was doubling up as his parents main residence (at the taxpayers expense).
Just picture the scene: "Can you do that ironing in the other room tonight Mum - I need to speak to some local constituents about a problem with their drains?"
Mr McNulty's fellow MPs decided that this arrangement had the effect of subsidising his parents from public funds - but then ordered him to pay back less than a quarter of the £60,000 he claimed.
The reform of MPs' expenses is finally underway - but change is only happening because MPs are not in the driving seat - no longer judge and jury in their own cause.
Just about every profession in the country involves ordinary members of the public in dealing with disciplinary matters - the regulatory bodies for doctors, lawyers and teachers - to name just a few examples.
A dose of the same for our MPs would do them - and the country's politics - a power of good.
